Zachary Ryan Babitz, a 38
DEMING – Las Cruces police have arrested Zachary Ryan Babitz, a 38-year-old murder suspect from Santa Fe, after a series of violent crimes on Saturday evening. Babitz, who was wanted for the August 6th fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson in Santa Fe, was apprehended after allegedly committing an armed robbery and a carjacking in Las Cruces.
The incident began around 6:30 p.m. when Babitz and an unidentified female accomplice reportedly entered an Arby’s restaurant on East Lohman Avenue. Babitz is accused of brandishing a firearm at an employee and demanding money. Shortly after the robbery, the pair allegedly carjacked a Chevrolet Impala from a woman nearby. Fortunately, the victim was not physically harmed.
After the carjacking, the stolen vehicle crashed near Missouri Avenue and Triviz Drive. While Babitz was quickly apprehended near the crash site, his female accomplice remains at large. She was last seen on the 2400 block of Missouri Avenue, and police believe she cut her hair to avoid recognition.
Babitz, who has an extensive criminal history and was released from prison in March 2024, is now being held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center. He faces multiple felony charges, including those from his alleged crimes in Las Cruces.
Las Cruces police are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of Babitz’s accomplice is urged to contact the authorities at (575) 526-0795.